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#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

UCCS Admission Requirements

Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Your chances of getting into University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

84.8%
Admission Difficulty for University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UCCS is 84.8%.  Its admission rate is the 14th lowest in Colorado.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UCCS and can you get accepted?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 12,504 out of the 14,751 who applied were admitted.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.36. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UCCS?

85% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Colorado Colorado Springs you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.36 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1120 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

UCCS GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.36

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UCCS are to have around a 3.36 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.36 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as UCCS accepts 85% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UCCS is 3.36 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #13 in Colorado for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UCCS is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Colorado Colorado Springs students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 17.3% Good
3.75 to 3.99 13.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 15.6% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.8% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.5% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 19.3% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 6.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.5% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UCCS SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Colorado Colorado Springs. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 2% of students submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1015-1215

Applicants Submitting SAT 

2%
SAT Scores for University of Colorado Colorado Springs
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 525
Math 25th Percentile 490
Composite 25th Percentile 1015
SAT Scores for University of Colorado Colorado Springs
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 565
Math 75th Percentile 650
Composite 75th Percentile 1215
Average SAT Score 1120

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UCCS is 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1015-1215. Students who get into University of Colorado Colorado Springs score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  UCCS ranks #11 in the state of Colorado for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1120 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UCCS regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1015 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1015, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1120 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1115, you have around a 85% chance of being admitted. A 1215 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1215 and Above Good >92%
1115 to 1215 Avg + 85%-92%
1015 to 1115 Avg - 75%-85%
915 to 1015 Reach 61%-75%
Less than 915 Low <61%
Calculate My Chances 

UCCS ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

8%
ACT Scores for University of Colorado Colorado Springs
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for University of Colorado Colorado Springs
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UCCS?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UCCS is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #9 in Colorado for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

8 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Colorado Colorado Springs is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UCCS for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 85% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 28 ACT score.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >92%
24 to 28 Avg + 85%-92%
21 to 24 Avg - 77%-85%
18 to 21 Reach 65%-77%
Less than 18 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

66% of University of Colorado Colorado Springs freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 33% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Colorado Colorado Springs students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13%
Top 25% of class 33%
Top 50% of class 66%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,146 5,605 14,751
Accepted 7,832 4,672 12,504
Acceptance Rate 86% 83% 85%
Enrolled 869 781 1,650
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 17% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Colorado Colorado Springs is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Colorado Colorado Springs and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Colorado Colorado Springs
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Colorado Colorado Springs is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.36 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1120 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Colorado Colorado Springs often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126580 IPEDS survey data for University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Last updated February 24, 2024